Are you sick of hitting pop-up paywalls whenever you log in to an online news source? Do you want to stay informed without shelling out a fortune to a dozen different subscriptions?
Then grab a plate because your library card is a golden ticket to Herrick District Library’s all-you-can-eat news buffet. We are serving up premium, first-rate access to the world’s best journalism. The good news is it won’t cost you a single penny.
Here’s what’s on the menu:
Main Entree
This is your Grade-A, world-class main course. New York Times, Wall Street Journal; you know, the big hitters. Investigative reporting, breaking news, opinion pieces, global sports stories, crosswords--it’s enough to keep even the hungriest news junkie satisfied.
Getting your plate is easy.
If it’s your first visit to either newspaper, you’ll need a Herrick District Library card number and PIN if you are not inside the library walls. Access any of the newspapers outlined below through Herrick’s own website. Then, you’ll create a free account on each website. Think of this as a host of waiters getting your table ready.
After that, you’ve two ways to dine:
Inside one of our two locations? Pull up a chair and enjoy unlimited access online while you are here.
Somewhere else? Activate a three-day pass. This will give you freedom to explore the news sources without a subscription.
When your three-day feast comes to an end, don’t fret. Simply return through the library’s website and activate another free pass. This buffet doesn’t kick anyone out. You can always come back for seconds. Or thirds and fourths, for that matter.
The Fresh, Local Catch
Locally sourced from the shores of Lake Michigan is the Holland Sentinel.
Sometimes, you just don’t have the appetite for news from Washington or Wall Street; you want to know what is happening just down the road. The Holland Sentinel serves up stories from the lakeshore—city council decisions, community events, local sports, restaurant openings, you name it.
This is your farm-to-table option on the buffet line. Local, fresh, harvested daily.
In the same vein as the bigger newspapers, you can access the Holland Sentinel through the library. If you have a card, then everything the local paper has to offer is available at your fingerprints for free.
The Global Smorgasbord
Are you ready to expand your palate? Our PressReader is less like a news source, and more like an international dining hall. The collection features thousands of newspapers and magazines from more than 120 countries, in over 60 languages, allowing you to sample stories from all over the world.
Do you crave British journalism with your morning coffee? Curious how today’s headlines are being reported in Japan, Mexico, South Africa? PressReader boasts it all and even more.
Think of this as the dessert bar of our news buffet. There’s always something new to try, and you never have to feel guilty about coming back for another helping.
Even better, many publications can be translated into your preferred language, so you don't have to be fluent to enjoy a fresh perspective. Just log in to the site with your library card and enjoy.
The Palate Cleanser
After sampling our full range of culinary delights, it can be good to refresh your perspective. That’s where Ground News comes in.
An extra item in the Libby app, Ground News helps you understand the headlines you’ve read elsewhere. It gathers stories from thousands of news outlets and lets you compare how different publications are covered. You’ll quickly see which stories are receiving widespread attention, and which are being overlooked, where the framing of stories lean Right, Left, or Center, and how coverage differs across the political spectrum.
It’s like the lime sorbet between courses, a chance to clean your palate and digest the news you’re encountering.
Let’s Dig In
What are you waiting for? There’s a wide world of information at your fingertips, so grab your library card and start piling your plate high with the world’s best journalism. Whether you’re craving global news, balanced stories, or reporting from your own backyard, Herrick District Library has your seat reserved. Bon appetit, news lovers. The table is set.
